As the sun prepares to rise over the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles, a stirring of creativity and innovation is set to unfold at the Santa Monica Airport from February 29 to March 3, 2024. Frieze Los Angeles, an emblematic art fair known for its vibrant display of contemporary artistry, is poised to captivate the artistic soul of the city once more. This year, under the radiant California sun, the fair will host 95 exhibitors, a curated selection aimed at shedding light on the works of emerging and underrecognized artists. At the heart of this gathering lies a partnership with the city of Santa Monica, marking a significant step toward unveiling the city’s latest artistic asset through the Frieze Art Fair.
A Stage for the Underrepresented
In its quest to champion the voices of the underrepresented, Frieze Los Angeles 2024 has meticulously crafted a section dubbed ‘Focus’, specially dedicated to offerings from Southern California artists. Organized by Essence Harden of the California African American Museum, ‘Focus’ promises to explore the intricate theme of ‘Ecologies’ through the lens of contemporary art. This endeavor aligns seamlessly with Santa Monica’s commendable Art Bank legacy, which has long supported emerging talent and provided a platform for their voices to be heard. The fair’s layout, reimagined by WHY Architects, offers a fresh perspective, with notable booths like Gagosian’s, curated by Antwaun Sargent to feature Black artists, taking center stage. Galleries such as Pace Gallery and Hauser & Wirth will complement the fair’s rich tapestry, presenting an eclectic mix of historical and recent works.
Community and Collaboration at Its Core
Frieze Los Angeles extends beyond the confines of a traditional art fair, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. A special Nonprofits section will highlight LA-based organizations like AMBOS Art Made Between Opposite Sides and Gallery 90220, underscoring the fair’s commitment to local artistic endeavors. Furthermore, the event will continue to support the Santa Monica Art Bank Acquisition Fund, a noble initiative that purchases a work by a Southern California artist for the city’s Art Bank. This year’s fair also celebrates the remarkable journey of textile artist Gary Tyler, who, after being wrongfully imprisoned for 42 years, discovered his talent for quilting. Tyler, the recent winner of the Frieze LA Impact Prize, will be honored with a solo exhibition, symbolizing the transformative power of art.
Experience Frieze Los Angeles in 2024
With a lineup of 95 exhibitors, down from last year’s 124, Frieze Los Angeles 2024 is set to offer an intimate yet diverse viewing experience. ‘Set Seen’, a public exhibition curated by the Art Production Fund, will feature site-specific works by six artists, further enriching the fair’s visual landscape. Visitors can also look forward to pop-up women-owned restaurants, providing a taste of local culinary talent, and a live performance at the Hammer Museum, adding a dynamic layer to the fair’s cultural offering. The Focus section, with its emphasis on ‘ecologies’, promises to engage attendees in a meaningful exploration of contemporary issues through art.
As Frieze Los Angeles 2024 unfolds at the Santa Monica Airport, it beckons art enthusiasts, collectors, and the culturally curious to immerse themselves in an environment where art meets purpose. With its careful curation and dedication to showcasing emerging and underrecognized talent, the fair stands as a beacon of creativity, collaboration, and community. In a city as vibrant and diverse as Los Angeles, Frieze offers a moment of reflection, inspiration, and connection, bridging the gap between the art world and the wider community it seeks to serve.
